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Shopping 411: Wedding Gown Basics / Favorite Fabrics
Batiste: lightweight, soft, transparent
Brocade: Jacquard-woven with raised designs
Charmeuse: lightweight, semi-lustrous, soft, satin-like touch
Chiffon: delicate, sheer, transparent, made from silk or rayon, soft finish; popular for overskirts, sheer sleeves, wraps
Crepe: light, soft, thin, crinkled surface
Damask: similar to brocaded but woven in a lighter weight
Duchesse Satin: lightweight hybrid of silk and rayon (or polyester) woven into a satin finish
Dupioni: finish similar to shantung, but with thicker, coarser fibers, slight sheen
Faille: structured, ribbed finish like grosgrain ribbon
Gabardine: tightly-woven, firm, durable finish with single diagonal lines on face
Georgette: sheer, lightweight fabric often made of polyester or silk with a crepe surface
Illusion: fine, sheer net fabric, usually used on sleeves or necklines
Jersey: elastic knit fabric; face has lengthwise ribs, underside crosswise ones
Moire: heavy silk taffeta with subtle, wavy design
Organdy: stiff transparent fabric
Organza: crisp, sheer like chiffon, with stiffer texture similar in effect to tulle, but more flowing; popular for skirts, sleeves, backs, overlays
Peau de Soie: soft satin-faced, high-quality cloth with dull luster, fine ribs, grainy appearance
Pique: lengthwise rib weave in medium to heavy weights; wrinkles unless given wrinkle-free finish
Satin: heavy, smooth, high sheen on one side
Silk Gazar: four-ply silk organza
Silk Mikado: brand of blended silk, usually heavier than 100-percent silk
Silk-faced Satin: smooth silk satin, glossy front, matte back
Shantung: similar to a raw silk, slubbed texture
Taffeta: crisp, smooth, slight rib
Tulle: netting made of silk, nylon, or rayon; used mostly for skirts, veils
Velvet: soft, thick fabric, felted face, plain underside
Brocade: Jacquard-woven with raised designs
Charmeuse: lightweight, semi-lustrous, soft, satin-like touch
Chiffon: delicate, sheer, transparent, made from silk or rayon, soft finish; popular for overskirts, sheer sleeves, wraps
Crepe: light, soft, thin, crinkled surface
Damask: similar to brocaded but woven in a lighter weight
Duchesse Satin: lightweight hybrid of silk and rayon (or polyester) woven into a satin finish
Dupioni: finish similar to shantung, but with thicker, coarser fibers, slight sheen
Faille: structured, ribbed finish like grosgrain ribbon
Gabardine: tightly-woven, firm, durable finish with single diagonal lines on face
Georgette: sheer, lightweight fabric often made of polyester or silk with a crepe surface
Illusion: fine, sheer net fabric, usually used on sleeves or necklines
Jersey: elastic knit fabric; face has lengthwise ribs, underside crosswise ones
Moire: heavy silk taffeta with subtle, wavy design
Organdy: stiff transparent fabric
Organza: crisp, sheer like chiffon, with stiffer texture similar in effect to tulle, but more flowing; popular for skirts, sleeves, backs, overlays
Peau de Soie: soft satin-faced, high-quality cloth with dull luster, fine ribs, grainy appearance
Pique: lengthwise rib weave in medium to heavy weights; wrinkles unless given wrinkle-free finish
Satin: heavy, smooth, high sheen on one side
Silk Gazar: four-ply silk organza
Silk Mikado: brand of blended silk, usually heavier than 100-percent silk
Silk-faced Satin: smooth silk satin, glossy front, matte back
Shantung: similar to a raw silk, slubbed texture
Taffeta: crisp, smooth, slight rib
Tulle: netting made of silk, nylon, or rayon; used mostly for skirts, veils
Velvet: soft, thick fabric, felted face, plain underside
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